<p>I have been doing Tae Kwon Do for the past 8 years. I have a second degree black belt and I'm an official certified instructor. I devote countless amounts of hours per week. I also participate in many tournaments.</p>
<p>Is doing a school sport better than one outside of school(like mine above)?</p>
<p>anyone?????</p>
<p>No, especially if the out of school sport is much more time consuming than any school sports. In addition to school sports I did year round club swimming for about 8-9 years which was 21+ hours a week, 48 weeks per year, and I definitely think that was more important than any of the varsity school sports that I did</p>
<p>The only downside I could think of is that you can't be a captain or anything but that doesnt reallyy matter since you've obviously been dedicated to it</p>
<p>I have not done any school sport...most of the sports in my school suck and the coaches are horrible..</p>
<p>bump......................</p>
<p>Yes, doing a sport at your school shows your involvement in the school, which will make colleges think "this kid is going to come here and do other things than study".</p>
<p>the school that I'm applying to has a martial arts club/taekwondo club. It's not fair because my school sports are not fun and there is nothing that i'm good at....life isnt fair.</p>
<p>Oh for cryin' out loud!</p>
<p>No. It doesn't matter. OK? ECs are about doing something you're passionate about and doing it well. You've obvioulsy done your sport well.</p>
<p>Ya but i think that asayedahmad08 is trying to ask: Do all activities have to center around school? Especially sports?</p>
<p>No, as long as you show in some other way that you are involved with your school, it won't matter.</p>
<p>A@Wolves6</p>
<p>I don't know where you're getting your information, but I've never heard anything like this. It's true that, for most high school students, high school is where they'll find the most ECs. So, most of them get involved with their high school in some way outside normal school hours.</p>
<p>But that's not the case with every kid, and I have never heard anyone in admissions say that ECs outside of school are looked down upon. I had a daughter who spent most of her time with sick, hurt, or homeless animals. That was her passion. She went to one of the top Ivies. She wasn't very involved with her high school. I know kids who have spent almost all their free time travelling for the US Fencing Team. They have almost no involvement with their school, and they are highly sought after.</p>
<p>It will count as much as a passionate EC.</p>
<p>It will not however be as helpful as being in a sport the school recrutes for.</p>
<p>For example, an amazing Football player will be more sought after than a person who does Tae Kwon Do even if both are equaly dedicated and skilled at the sport. This is simply because schools don't often have intercollegiate Tae Dwon Do tournaments.</p>
<p>I'm a 2nd degree Black Belt as well so I can relate. It doesn't bother me that much because I do Tae Kwon Do because its fun, not because it will get me into college.</p>
<p>do colleges really do that? preferring one sport over the other? I mean sports in general show leadership, dedication, teamwork, etc. So being in a popular sport is more helpful/admirable to Adcoms?</p>
<p>Yoda08</p>
<p>Of course, if you can play a sport for the college to which you're applying, and the coach gets on your side, you chances increase dramatically.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that (although my experience is limited to fencing) usually to become good enough to get recruited you need to train with a professional club. I agree with
Tarhunt, I know several highly sought-after fencers who spend most of their out-of-school time training/travelling
which has absolutely nothing to do with their schools.</p>
<p>I got my info from a University of Michigan admissions counselor. They prefer in-school activities, because it shows that you want to be involved with your school. It won't be looked down, but they want to see that you're getting involved in your school. They don't want the kid at their school who isn't going to get involved, and rather do their outside activities. They want involved students.</p>
<p>A2Wolves6:</p>
<p>You missed the point, if you get recruited you ARE going to be involved with the school.
Recent graduates from my son's club went to Yale, Columbia, Stanford, etc without ever participating in school sport. Fencing is not even a school sport in my state. But I agree that the club sport will make a great impact/will be looked favorably only if
1. College/University has it as a varsity sport.
2. Coaches are willing to ask the admissions for you.</p>
<p>You're missing my point. First off, less than 1% get recruited. So I don't understand why you're talking about that. My point is, you need to show to admissions officers in one way or another that you are going to get involved in your school. Do that with a sport, with another club, etc. If all you have on your list is out-of-school activities, that will raise a red flag. They want to see that you get involved with your school.</p>
<p>A2Wolves6:</p>
<p>Well, first off, you're taking feedback from a single school and applying it to every school in the country. I'd say that's a bit of a generalization.</p>
<p>Second, thanks for the info. I now know where child #8 (the last one!) will not apply.</p>
<p>A2Wolves6 - if this info is for YOU - are you involved in ANY way in your school experience?? Are you involved in ANY club or organization in any way?? Are you in the NHS or any other organized program??</p>
<p>There are many high schools that do not offer an activity that a student has a passion for and the student pursues their passion elsewhere. There are those students who are not involved for personal reasons as well - must work - must care for siblings - etc..... they still get into colleges.</p>
<p>It certainly makes me wonder if you may have mis-interpreted something. Being as involved as you have been in an outside school activity - will certainly bring something to the school - especially if you intend to pursue it further in college. Following a passion as you have certainly shows committment and passion - which are important traits in any applicant - it will certainly depend on how you present yourself to the school that will make a difference in the process.</p>